On Saturday, October 29, the City of London invites Londoners to the grand reopening of Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., this exciting day will include free recreation and aquatics drop-in programs, musicians, free face painting, inflatable games, free snacks, chalk art displays and an assortment of food trucks.
The following activities will be offered during the grand reopening:
Free drop-in programs: Londoners of all ages can participate in free drop-in programs throughout the day, including basketball from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., craft making from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., pickleball from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and a recreational swim from 12 to 3 p.m.
Local entertainment: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., enjoy a performance by the Antonio Alas Mariachi Band. Local artist Bronagh Morgan will be outside of the building creating beautiful chalk art displays.
Food trucks: Enjoy an assortment of food trucks in the parking lot, including The Grilled Cheezery, Pierogi Queen, New Leaf Plant Based Food, Big Daddy Bacon and The Donut Diva. Purchase is required.
Vehicle and bike parking will be available outside of the Centre. Due to ongoing construction on Adelaide Street North, Londoners must use Elizabeth Street off Oxford Street to reach the facility.
Throughout October, November and December, the City is offering free drop-in programs to welcome Londoners back to the building, including pickleball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, open gym, recreational swim, lane swim, aquafit and parent and tot swim sessions. Londoners can visit Play Your Way online to find drop-in program schedules.
About the facility: The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, located at 656 Elizabeth Street, is a multipurpose facility featuring gymnasiums, meeting rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and an aerobics studio. The community centre is ideal for large and small group gatherings, including meetings, birthday parties, special events, tournaments, receptions and training events. The facility operated as a COVID-19 assessment centre from March 2020 to August 2022.